Playing for a cause

Music was blaring and basketballs were bouncing on Saturday as part of the second annual Playing For A Cause basketball tournament held by UB's Minority Management Society.

The tournament was held to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a part of the American Cancer Society. Making Strides is a foundation that advocates for breast cancer prevention and provides assistance to breast cancer patients throughout their battle. The organization also hosts walks in cities nationwide to raise money for research toward beating cancer, according to the American Cancer Society's Web site.

Eleven teams of four students gathered on the Goodyear Hall lawn to support the organization and show off their skills. Participation in the event was open to all students, who could register until the tournament started at noon.

Basketball games continued almost nonstop for nearly six hours. As each game ended and another team was eliminated, the crowd around the courts grew. The final basketball game attracted a large audience and resulted in a victory for "The Ballers."

The winners of the tournament received $150 and New Era gift cards.

Students enjoyed watching the basketball games along with eating hot food, drinking cold beverages and listening to a constant stream of DJ-provided music.

Graciela Bardales, a sophomore nursing major, thought watching the tournament was a good way to spend her Saturday afternoon.

"It's really entertaining and it's for a good cause," Bardales said.

Jennifer Veras, treasurer of Minority Management Society, thought the tournament was successful in raising money for charity and attracting participants. According to Veras, about 100 students attended the benefit throughout the day.

"We definitely raised a lot of money," she said. "Overall, (we had) a good turnout."

To raise more funds for Making Strides, the Minority Management Society also held a raffle for those in attendance. The winner received a basket filled with UB products and apparel.

The tournament was the annual philanthropy event for the Minority Management Society.

"(The Minority Management Society) started in order to increase minority representation in the school of management," said Chris Prince, the society's president.

The society was formed in 1989 and began as a club exclusively for students in the School of Management. Now, it has grown to include students from many different backgrounds and various majors, according to Prince.

"We try to prepare them for the corporate world no matter what field they want to go into," Prince said.